Double trouble: Ms Vasylkova gave birth to twins during the flight (Picture: CEN)

A Russian plane gained two new passengers when a pregnant woman gave birth to twins during the flight.

Irina Vasylkova, 25, was midway through a Polar Airlines flight from Zyryanka to Yakutsk when she suddenly began to experience labour pains.

Ms Vasylkova was moved to a seat with more leg room while stewardess Christina Kondratiev attempted to make her as relaxed as possible in the hope that her birth could wait until the plane landed.

‘I told the pilot and he sped up the flight to make sure that we could arrive as early as possible,’ said Ms Kondratiev.

Polar Airlines have offered the proud mum and her two daughters free travel for life (Picture: Polar)

‘But it was clear that the delivery was not going to wait.’

Like a scene from a film, she asked passengers if there was a doctor on board – and obstetrician Elena Sleptcova, 47, offered to help.

Both babies were delivered safely. The first was born while the plane was still in the air and her twin sister was born just as the plane landed, before the three of them were whisked away to a local hospital.

Polar Airlines have compensated Ms Vasylkova for what must have been a very stressful flight by offering her and her two daughters free travel for life.